Stitching mechanism



July 24,-. 1923.

L. SARTORE STITCHING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19. 1921 5 sheets-sheet l INVENTUR im CpmVa-rz l 7 @nm 73. wm

July 24, 1923.

L.. sARToRE STITCHING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19.

1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TUR wmf/ M j uy 24, 1923.

4 14625211 L. SARTORE STITCHING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 19, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVEN TUR www pmV'm 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July Z4, 1923.

L SARTORE STITCHING MECHANISM A Filed Feb. 19

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INVENTR PMF/1,06 amv'mt L. SARTORE STITCHING MECHANISM July 24, 1923.

Filed Feb.

19 1921 5 sheets-sheet 5 F l G l 4- Patented July 24, i923.

E STABS TENT oFFicgE.

LAURENCE SARTORE, OF PITTSBURGH,.PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR DECIMO FOGLIA, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

OF ONE-HALF TO STITCHING MECHANISM.

`Application filed February 19, 1921. Serial No. 446,502.

To @ZZ 107mm t may concern.:

Be it known that I, LAURENCE Sirmione, a. citizen of the United States, and resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a which lack the cohesive qualities of fabric,

leather, or the like, and which therefore, cannot be readily fedto a sewing machine arranged for ordinary operation.

More specifically the object ot the invention is to so arrange and actuate a. work supporting carriage relatively to a. stitching element., by means of a step by step movement and in synchronism with the operation of the stitching needles, that. the material is stitched without being stretched or torn.

A further object ot the invention is to render the forward step by step movement `of the work supporting carriage positive,

and to provide means whereby the carriage may be released and automatically returned to starting position after a single comple-te passage through the stitching element,

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby a sausage skin, or similar material, may be prevented from sagging while passing through the stitching element, thus insuring an even seam throughout the length of i the material stitched.

A still further object of the invention is to provide mechanism having the above noted advantages which is easily operated and controlled.

ln the accompanying drawings Fig. is a plan view olE the mechanism; Fig. 2v is a side elevation of the same; F ig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale with the stitching element proper removed; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation illust-rating elements or' the mechanism for actuating and controllingthe work supporting.

carriage; 5 is a detail, partly in elevation, of brake mechanism for limiting forward movement of the work supporting carriage under each single impulse im .parted thereto; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of this brake mechanism; Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the carriage operating pawl and the means for holding it in and withholding it from engagement with the work supporting` carriage; Fig. 8 is afront elevation of the pawl and its associated mechanism; Fig. 9 is a sectional detail view of a stop for preventing backward movement of the carriage, together with the means for holding it in and withholding it from engagement with the carriage; Fig. 10 is a front eleva-tion of this stop mechanism; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of an operating lever for the elements of Figs. 5 to 10 inV- elusive, showing means for locking the lever in release position; Fig. 12 is a side elevation ot the means shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary rear elevation illustrating a portion of the stitching element of the device; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary front elevation of the stitching element of the mechanism, illustrating particularly a tongue for tightening the material undergoingstitching and the means for bringing this tightening tongue into operation; and Fig. 15 is afront elevation of the means illustrated in Fig. 14.

The mechanism, as illustrated, is mounted upon a stand or table 1, which may be ot' any desired shape or construction. Primarily, the mechanism comprises stitching mechanism proper, which may be a sewing machine of usual design; a carriage tor progi'essively presenting the material to be stitched to the sewing machine; and actuat ing and controlling means for the sewing machine and carriage.

The sewing machine 2 of the mechanism is shown as power operated by means of an electric motor 3, which is connected by a belt el with a fast and loose pulley 5 on a shaft 6. Shaft G also carries a. double pulley 7 connected by means ot belts S with pulley 9 on the operating shaft of the sewing machine. The pulley 5 is provided with a clutch 10, which is connected by means oi levers 11 and 12 and rocker arm 13 with the. operating treadle 1li. lThe motor 3 may thus be permitted to run idly or may be thrown into clutch to actuate the operating shaft of the sewing machine 2.

The carriage operating shatt, or rock shaft, 15 lies beneath the sewing machine (shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings). This connection comprises an arm 19 connected with rock shaft 15, and an arm 20 jointed to the arm 19, the arm 2O being provided with a pin 21 which passes through a slot 1 22 in balance wheel 23 of the sewing machine. The shaft 15 is thus oscillatcd at a rate of speed corresponding to that at which the sewing machine 2 is operated. Tt will be noted that the length of arm 2O is adjustable for adjusting the rate of actuation of rock sha-ft 15 relatively to the speed of operation of the sewing machine and the length of the stitches taken.

The carriage 16 is provided adjacent either extremity with a bracket 24 having an arm 25 extending over the carriage. Each of the arms 25 carries a pair of spring clips 26 to receive and retain rods 27 for holding the material to be stitched.

If the mechanism is utilized for the stitching of sausage skins, these skins are preferably prepared for stitching` by means similar to those described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 446,503, filed February 19, 1921. As prepared by such means, either two or four layers of gut, depending upon the strength of the original gut utilized, are superimposed one on the other; and all are then slit longitudinallv to form a strip double the width, and

if four layers of gut are used, double the thickness of the original gut. This strip is then to be stitched by the present device to form a sausage bag of increased diameter or of increased strength and diameter. As prepared by the device above noted, the strip of gut is held at each edge between two sections of a rod 27, in position to be stitched longitudinally on lines within and adjacent the rods.

" nature that its tendency is to sag when held adjacent its edges by the rods 27, it is highly desirable to provide means for maintaining it taut while being operated upon by the stitching needles 28. For this purpose a tightening tongue 31 is mounted in the base 32 of the sewing machine insuch manner that the material being stitchedV passes over it as the material is fed to the sewing machine. This tongue 31 may be raised the desired dista-ncev above the upper surface of the base 32 by means of al chain 33 and operating means therefor hereinafter described.

Tn order that the pawl 17 may engage the teeth of rack 18 to cause progression of the work supporting carriage 16, means are provided for causing the pawl to firmly engage behind a tooth of the rack. Such means comprise a tension spring 35 mounted on the under side of the table 1 and connected with the shank 36 of pawl 17 by means of a rod or relatively stiff wire 38. Because of this resilient engagement the pawl` 17 may be dragged back over the angular faces of succeeding teeth upon each oscillation of the rock shaft 15, and may engage behind one of the teeth to propel the carriage another step forward.

ln order to prevent backward movement of the carriage 16 as the pawl is moved backwardly, the stop 39 is provided. This stop is mounted in a stand 40 and is pressed upwardly by means of the spring 41 therein. The rearward face of stop 39 is beveled to permit the angular face of the rack teeth to depress it and pass by it readily, while the forward face of the stop is arranged to engage behind the teeth to provide a positive check to backward move-ment of the carriage.

It is desirable that each forward impulsion should cause the carriage to move forward a definite distance, and that the forward movement should be lchecked im mediately upon completion of each oscillation of the rock shaft 15. For this purpose a brake 42 is mounted to bearagainst the edge of the carriage 16, the brake being held in contact with the 'edge of the carriage by means of a tension spring 43 connected with the brake by a rod or wire 44. In orderto avoid any possibility of carriage 16 being jammed on, or pulled from, its'tracks by the force of spring 43, a roller bearing 44b is mounted in a standard 44a to hear against the side of the carriage and maintain it in position without offering resistance to movement of the car riage in` either direction.

It will be noticed that rack 18 does not extend the entire length of'carriage 16 but is discontinued an appreciable distance short of each endthereof. There is therefore, no danger` that the needles 28 of the stitching element 2 may be broken bythe carriage being propelled forward sufficiently far as to cause the rear bracket 24 to strike the needles. f

ln order that the carriage 16 may be re- Cil turned to a starting position after the coinpletion ot a stitching operation, a counterweight is connected to the rearward ex tremity of the carriage by means oi' a cord 46. In order that the counterweight 45 may cause the backward movement of the carriage 16, it is necessary that brake 42 be released, and that stop 39 and pawl 17 be withdrawn from contact with the teeth ot rack 18. This release and withdrawal is effected by means of an operating lever 47.

The operating lever 47 is pivoted at 48 tothe table 1. To this lever are connected means for throwing the brake 42, stop 39, and pawl 17 out of engagement with the work supporting carriage 16. For this pur` pose brake 42 is provided with a resilient mounting' 49 and with a connection 59 from this mounting` to the operating lever 47. As previously stated, the brake 42 is normally in engagement with the side of car'- riage 16. Upon outward movement of levez`- 47, however, the brake 42 is withdrawn from contact with the carriage against the resistance of spring 43.

The means for withdrawing pawl 17 from engagement with rack 18 comprise a rod 51, connected with the operating lever47 and passing through slots in uprights 52 and 53 adjacent the shank 36 of the pawl. The inner extremity of `rod 51 is provided with a beveled or cam portion 54 arranged to cooperate with sha-nk 36 of the pawl to litt the same against the resistance of spring 35 when operating lever 47 is moved outwardly.

Stop 39, as stated above, is mounted in a tubular stand, or housing, 40, and joined with a plunger 55 which is pressed upwardly by spring 41 therein, so that it engages with the teeth of rack 18. Connected with operating lever 47 is an operating rod 56 supported by a standard or upright 57 and passing through a slot`58 in plunger 55. A light spring 55a serves to maintain rod 56 in contact with the upper extremity of the slot 58. The extremity of rod 56 is provided with an enlarged head 59 havinga beveled face 60 for engagement in the slot 58. Outward movement of operating lever 47 thus serves to depress plunger 55 and withdraw stop 39 trom engagement with the teeth of rack 18. y

The tension of spring 43 connected with brake 42 tends to maintain the operating lever 47 normally in inward position, with the brake 42, pawl 17, and stop 39, all in engagement with work supporting carriage l16. Means are therefore provided -for hold ing the operating lever in its outer position when so desired.

F or this purpose an upright 61 is secured on table 1, and lever 47 is passed through a slot 62 therein. A hook 63 operated by a handle 64 thereon may be operated to cause it to engage the lever 47 and secure the same in its outer position, as shown in Figure 11 of the drawings.

In operation of the mechanism, after the work supporting carriage .16 has made a complete traverse of t-he stitching element 2, treadle 14 is released to 3 from pulley 5, thus causing a cessation in the actuation of the stitching element 2 and rock shaft 15. Operating lever 47 is 'then pulled outwardly to disengage the means for moving and controlling the carriage 16. As the lever is moved outwardly, brake 42 is first released, pawl 17 is then disengaged from rack 18, and stop 39, which positively prevents backward movement of the carriage, is last withdrawn from engagement with they rack teeth. Oounterweight 45 then operates to return carriage 16 to its starting position.

As previously stated, it is desirable to support the gut being stitched and to maintain the same taut while it is being` carried through the stitching element of the mechanism, thus preventing wrinkling or pulling oiI the gut. It is also necessary that the means for this purpose be such that they will not tend to stretch or tear the gut. The purpose is effected by means of a tongue 31, inclined in the direction of movement oi the carriage 16, and having connected thereto an operating chain 33. As shown in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings, this operating chain 33 passes over a pulley 64 mounted on the sewing table 32 and connected at its outer extremity with a lever arm 65 connecting with a bell crank lever 66. One extremity of lever 66 is connected with a coiled spring 67, and the other with a rod 68, which latter connects with operating treadle 14. Spring 67 thus tends to normally maintain tongue 31 in lowered or inoperative position, while operation of treadle 14, in connecting the motor 3, causes a shortening ot lever arm 65 and raising of the tongue into operativel position.

lt will be seen from the above that the gut is under no strain while being fed to the stitching needles, the gut being supported and fed by the movable work supporting carriage; also that the progression of the carriage is automatically regulated during the stitching operation. Owing to the feed" ing of the gut, it is not necessary that it be dried before it is stitched. This is because the synchronized, step by step, movement ot the work supporting carriage prevents pulling 0i the material, and overcomes the ditliculty due to the quality ot the material which would prevent withdrawal of the nee dles in stitching moist gut with a sewing machine ot usual design.

It will be further observed that the mechanism is easy tooperate; since the operation of the treadle and operating lever serve to cause movement of the work supporting car disconnect motor v llO riage during an entire traverse of the stitching element, and alsoserve to return it to starting position. i

. The same operation of the treadle which causes propulsion of the carriage also serves` resentimiention the sco 3e ot the inventionV is to be restricted only by the limitations contained in the claims appended hereto. llVhat I claim is:

l. Mechanism for stitching sausage skins and the lilre While in a moist condition which consists in a stitching` element proper co1nprising a pair otspaced needles, a carriage movable in a line beneath said needles, and means on said carriage arranged to engage and support a section o'l sausage skin solely7 along the longitudinal edges thereof in such position as to subject the same adjacent the longitudinal edges thereoiQ to the stitchingaction of the needles.

2. Mechanism `lor stitching sausage Shins and the like While in a moist condition which consists in a stitching element proper comprising a needle, a carriage movable in aline beneath said needle, means on said carriage arranged to engage and support a section or' sausage skin solely along its longitudinal edges in such position as to subject the same along a longitudinal edge thcreol to the stitcl'iingiaction ol said needle, and means for imparting a forward step by step movement to said carriage.

3. Mechanism for stitching` sausage skins and the like Whilein moist condition which consists in a stitchingelement proper comprising a pair or' spaced needles, a carriage movable in a line beneath, said needles,`

means on said carriage arranged to engage and'support a section oi sausage shin solely along the longitudinal edges thereof in such position as to subject the same adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof to the stitching action of said needles, and means for imparting a forward step by step movement to said carriage. f

t. Mechanism lor stitchingsausage skins and the like While in a moist 'con dition which consists in a stitchino` element 3ro 3er comz prising fa pair of. spaced needles, a carriage movable in a line beneath said needles, means on said carriage arranged to support a section of sausage skin along the longitudinal edges thereof in such position as to subject the same adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof to the stitchingaction oit said needles, means Yfor imparting a 'lorivard step by step movement to said carriage, and independent means for returning said carriage to startino osition.

e; P v i 5. Mechanism Mfor stitching sausage skins and the like While in a moist condition Which consists in a stitching element proper comprising a pair ot spaced needles, a. carriage movable in a line beneath said needles, ine-ans on said carriage arranged to support a section of sausage skin along the edges thereof in such position as to subject the same adjacent the longitudinal edges thereofv to the stitching action oi the needles, and a movable member adjacent said stitching element and arranged to project into the path of movement of the carriage to contact the under surface oli the section of sausage shin nd support the central portion thereof during stitching.

6. lllechanism for stitching sausage skins andthe like While in a moist conditionwhich consists in a stitching element proper comprising a needle, a carriage movable in a line beneath said needle, means on said carriage arranged to subject a section of sausage skin along a longitudinal edge thereotI to the ,stitching` action ot said needle, means tor imparting a 'forward step by step movement to said carriage, and a movable member adjacent saidstitching element and arranged to project into the path oi movement of the carriage to Contact the under surlace of the section ol sausage sliin and support the central portion thereoiE during stitching.

7. ll/.lechanism for stitching sausage skins and the like While in a moist conditionY Which consists in a stitching` element proper comprising a pair of spaced needles, a carriage movable in a line beneath said needles, means on said carriage arranged to support a section o'll sausage skin along the longitudinal edges thereof Vin such position as to subject the same adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof to the stitching action of the needles, means and connections for actuating said stitching element and Work supporting carriage. and a movable member arranged to be projected into the path of movement of the carriage simultaneously with the actuation ot the stitching' element and carriage to contact the under surface o1 the section .of sausage skin and support the central portion thereof during stitching. I j

8. lvlechanism for stitchingsausage skins and the like While in a moist condition which consists in a stitching element proper comprising a needle, carriage movable in a line beneath said needle, means on-said carriage a 1ranged to support a section olf sausage skin in such position as to subject the same along a longitudinal edge thereot1 to the stitching action of said needle, `means and connections for actuating said stitching element and imparting a lorvvard step by step movement to said Werl; supporting carriage, and a movable member arranged to be projected into the path or' movement of the carriage simultaneously With the actuation of the stitching element and carriage to contact the under surface of the section of sausage skin and support the central portion thereof during stitching. 1

9. Mechanism for stitching sausage skins and the like Which consists in a stitching element proper comprising a pair of spaced needles, carriage movable in a. line beneath said needles, means on said carriage arranged to support a section of sausage skin l0. Mechanism for stitching sausage skins and the like While in a moist condition which consists in a stitching element proper coniprising a pair of spaced needles, a carriage movable in a line beneath said needles, means on said carriage arranged to engage and support a section of sausage skin solely along the longitudinal edges thereof in such position as to subject the same adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof to the stitching action of said needles, means for imparting a forward step by step movement to said carriage, and a brake in yielding engagement With said carr'age for limiting forward movement thereof upon each impulse imparted the-reto,l

ln Witness whereof, l hereunto set my hand.

LAURENCE SARTGRE. -Viitnessesz FLORENCE F. SCHWARTZ, WILLIAM B. VVHARTON. 

